Reports and Photos

2019

Birstall and Wanlip WI

Some of our ladies had a really enjoyable morning making beautiful glass objects at 'smARTsy' glass in Ratby.

Down to Earth

Birstall and Wanlip WI hosted Radio Leicester’s gardening programme ‘Down to Earth’ at Belgrave Rugby Club on October 11^th. About 50 people enjoyed yet another celebration of our centenary year. Fourteen questions were put to the three experts, John Smith of Thornton Nurseries, Karen Gimson an award winning head gardener and Mike Salotti a horticulture tutor from Brooksby College. Down to Earth was hosted by broadcaster Bridget Blair who put us all at ease with her amusing introduction. It was an informative and entertaining evening ending with a huge raffle consisting of prizes supplied by local retailers.

Birstall and Wanlip celebrate 100th Birthday

Birstall and Wanlip WI celebrated their 100^th Birthday with a Garden Party in member Kath Jones’ beautiful Park Road garden on June 9th. Each member was welcomed by a glass of champagne in a specially engraved commemorative glass. Our guest speaker was Edwina Currie who spoke to us about her life and experiences. She was one of the few women in parliament when she became an MP in 1983 under Margaret Thatcher and later became a novelist and TV personality. Edwina then answered members’ questions from the floor in a captivating and animated way. She later joined us for tea, sandwiches and cakes served to us by four impeccable waiters recruited by their spouses for the occasion. It was a memorable afternoon and thanks were given to everyone who worked so hard to make it possible.

Centenary Coffee Shop

Lovely weather at our Coffee Shop which was held on 20th May, the outside plant sale went well but for some reason the streets were quieter than usual?

Almost as if something was going on elsewhere....

Most of the cakes were sold and the cheese scones went down very well

May Meeting The Woodland Trust

A lovely warm evening for our May meeting at the British Legion. Ian Retson talked to 40 ladies about the wonderful work done by the Woodland Trust.

There was a splendid display of wood artifacts entries for our competition

Skittles Evening

We played skittles on the 18th April against Anstey WI and we won every game! A warm and friendly Spring evening

Clog Dancing at the April meeting

Annual Council Meeting (ACM)

A really successful day at Leicestershire and Rutland Federation WI's centenary ACM at Bruntingthorpe aerodrome. We now know exactly what Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire actually does through the talk given by Jennifer Lady Gretton. We were incredibly motivated and entertained by Mandy Hickson, the ex RAF Tornado pilot and Edwina Curry was charming, funny and very clever. There were lots of stalls and excellent refreshments available and the hangar proved to be an excellent venue for 1400 ladies.

Maxilyn collecting Birstall and Wanlip WI's centenary certificate at the ACM

Here's a couple of photos of our ladies enjoying the day

Wow what a crowd, 1400 ladies

March Meeting - Games Night  and Hot Supper

After the normal business of our meeting it was nice to have a hot supper provided by the British legion and play some board games and table skittles, a most enjoyable evening with a small dose of competitive spirit!

Community Coffee Morning

A wonderful morning at Birstall Methodist Church welcoming members of other local organizations including the Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwoodand Edward Argar our MP. Thanks to our Centenary committee members Bethan and Kath for organising the event. Bethan created a magnificent display of photos and memorabilia covering our 100 years and was there ever a more spectacular selection of home made cakes?

February Meeting 2018

The February Meeting was held in the long room at the British Legion. Our speaker Grainne Purkiss enthusiastically opened our eyes to the hidden symbolism behind great paintings through the ages. Ladies at the back of the room could hear her but some of the details of the projected pictures were lost until she enlarged them.

Alice Hawkins' statue

Some of us joined in the march for the unveiling of Alice Hawkins' statue last Sunday. Elaine Pantling was particularly moving as she recreated one of Alice's speeches. We are very lucky to have Elaine as a speaker later in the year.

2018 WI Holiday at Warner's Cricket St Thomas

Report by:- Valerie Skeffington Birstall and Wanlip WI

It’s always good to have something interesting planned to follow the festivities of Christmas and New Year, so the prospect of spending five days at Warner’s Cricket St Thomas in the beautiful Somerset countryside, at the end of January, was most appealing.

Three coaches left WI House on the Monday morning and headed off towards our destination, calling at Bristol for lunch en route. This was my first visit to this Warner’s hotel and I was not disappointed. As we arrived, the view of the old Cricket House, featured in the TV series ‘To the Manor Born’, was a stunning sight, as we snaked our way down the wooded valley and through fields filled with sheep. The hotel accommodation was excellent, as was the food and entertainment.  One evening we were treated to tribute artists representing Elvis Presley and his backing group; another night it was the Stylistics, most nostalgic, and the well-rehearsed Warner’s team of young entertainers kept us all happily involved in the various activities on offer.

There were two inclusive outings, to Exeter and Weymouth, with another optional half-day to Taunton. The grounds surrounding the hotel were delightful with three signed walks encompassing woodland, lakes and some beautifully planted gardens. The snowdrops were out in force with many crocuses and early daffodils adding their colour to the scene.

Hotel guests could wander through the ‘old’ house to admire the reception rooms and grand staircase and the small estate church of St Thomas could also be visited. Whether one was interested in history, nature, keep-fit or just relaxing with a massage, the hotel seemed to have it all.

Our visit came to an end far too soon, but the journey home was punctuated with a luncheon stop at historic Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of the bard, William Shakespeare. Heartfelt thanks to the WI organisers of our annual holiday - yet another enjoyable and memorable one.

January Our First Meeting of 2018

New Venue Birstall British Legion

Thanks Birstall British Legion for such a warm welcome!

It was cosy but fun in your lounge last night, having access to the bar a definite plus, a good time was had by all.

Christmas Diner 2017 The White Horse Birstall

21 ladies braved the snow and ice for our Christmas dinner at the White Horse last night. It was an enjoyable festive occasion with an excellent hot meal served by helpful, efficient staff (they even provided doggy bags).

Chatsworth House Visit 2017

Some of our ladies enjoying the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation coach trip to Chatsworth early in December.

Our Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree at the Methodist Church Christmas Fair today. The theme was the 'Spirit of Christmas' and our tree represented the WW1 Christmas Truce of 1914.

November Craft Stall

Birstall and Wanlip WI ladies had a craft stall at the Harrison Road Methodist church Christmas Fair.
A lovely well attended event, the stalls were all bursting with goodies and the cake stall kept us all well fed.

ATTENTION Birstall and Wanlip WI ladies!

Kath has been contacted by Highcliffe School to say that that it is no longer economical to open up the school just for our monthly, Monday meetings from January 2018. The options are that we meet on Tuesdays still at Elmfield Hall or use a room at Stonehill School as there are no other halls this side of the A6. Unfortunately they need a decision by next week and we do not meet again until December!! 
Please pass the message on to as many members as you can and let Kath, Bev or Maxilyn know your views. 
Thanks

November AGM

36 ladies met on 6^th November for our AGM. We held our normal meeting and recalled last month’s visit to Curve for the suffragette drama ‘Alice in her Shoes’, where WI ladies in the audience gave an impromptu rendition of Jerusalem. Our centenary sub committee have been working hard and reported back on exciting future plans for 2018, starting with a Community event on 24^th February to celebrate our 100 years in Birstall. We are going to decorate a tree for the Methodist Christmas Fair representing the WW1 Christmas Truce and are also having a craft stall.

We then held our AGM in which President Beverly recalled our many activities over the past 12 months and outlined exciting plans for a very special year ahead. Committee members were voted in and the evening concluded with a tasty cheese and wine supper.

Our last meeting of 2017 is on December 4^th with a quiz, Secret Santa and mince pies and we will have a Christmas dinner at the White Horse later in the month.

Craft Fair October

Our Craft Stall at Gorse Hill City Farm's Fun Day. Apparently not much sold but at least it didn't rain!

October Meeting

Last night we were joined by 7 ladies from Thurnby and Bushby WI. They are twined with us while we celebrate our centenary next year.

Caroline Roberts, a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for Leicester returned to talk to us this time about the the lives of important men in our City's history, including the 4 statues around the Clock Tower. It was a very engaging and informative talk during which she told the group that on the first Wednesday of each month there is a free tour of the town hall which she leads.

Craft Stall September

Our crafters working hard on their stall at Loughborough Road Allotments Open Day last Saturday.  Our next craft table is at Birstall Methodist Church on 23rd September 10-12

September meeting

Christine Farmer talked to us about her mask collection. She gave a captivating talk, interweaving the history of masks with tales of her own life, family and travels

Summer Outing

27 of us went to Newark in August for our annual August coach trip. The weather was kind and Newark was a very interesting town with some lovely old buildings, a castle and a pretty Market Place. The Civil War Museum was well worth a visit.

In July our ladies attend Gorse Hill City Farm with a fundraising donation

Today we went to visit Gorse Hill City Farm to present them with £300 which was raised from our Craft sales. It was chilly for July so the animals were pleased to see us as we had bags of food. The baby goats were only a few days old.

Our July Walk

We organized a walk from Birstall to Abbey Park. Open to all we were joined by members from Astill Lodge, Thurcaston and Newbold Verdon.

The morning dawned on torrential rain and as 4 of us met early at Kath’s house to make up the picnic bags we held out little hope for a successful walk. Would anyone turn up? Well they did and over 30 of us including assorted dogs of all sizes assembled at School Lane car park. Miraculously the rain abated and gradually the weather improved. Everything was progressing swimmingly until only a few could wade under the now flooded Loughborough Road bridge and utilising plan B the rest of us had to take a 20 minute detour. However we eventually made it to the Park where the advance party with chairs and the picnic were impatiently waiting for us. Gradually we stripped off our wet layers and enjoyed our picnic lunch in glorious sunshine. After an hour or so it was time for the warm walk back to Birstall.

Our July Meeting

On July 3^rd we were visited by Tina and Terry of Kinder falconry. They showed us barn, tawny and scops owls, a kestrel, 22 year old Dudley a Mexican Harris hawk and a pygmy falcon. Finally we had 2 baby owls on their first trip out, a 9 week old great grey owl and a brown Asian wood owl. They were all bred in captivity, hand reared by Tina and well supported by Terry. It was yet another captivating evening.
We welcomed back Mary and two new ladies, Mavis and Christine

June's Crafting and chatting at Cedar Mews

This month was drawing and paining, with some watercolor and pastel masterpieces being created, the main aim was for it to be fun, and we think we achieved that.

Thanks to cedar news for making us most welcome in the garden room with coffee and pastries.

Its our 99th Birthday!

34 Birstall and Wanlip WI ladies met at the Platform Café on June 5^th to celebrate

Our speaker was museum curator Roger Shelly who told to us about the proposed new Railway Museum to be situated beside the Leicester North GCR station in Birstall.

There is still a lot of fund raising to be done but it is hoped that eventually there will be vintage buses linking Birstall Park and Ride to the Museum and on to the Pumping Station on Corporation Road. Viewing areas both above and walkways below the Museum are planned and we viewed pictures of the proposed site.

Afterwards the ladies enjoyed a very good meal and a glass or two of wine.

Our fundraising coffee morning in May

Was held at the Methodist church and had various stalls including cakes, plants, crafts and lucky bags.

Bethan can be seen wearing a WI inspiring women sash, recruiting new members at the plant stall outside the venue.

Ghost walk in May

A group of us went on a 'Ghost Walk'. It was fascinating to see and hear so much about our City that we didn't know. There are areas now open to the public that are as captivating as York or Chester.

Thanks Donna for organizing it.

Our May Meeting

We had a visit from three National Trust volunteers from Southwell Workhouse. We were transported back to the 1840's listening to Matron and two widows who had fallen on hard times.
33 of us rattled around in Elmfield Hall, our new spacious location.
The 'oldest photo' competition,won by Jan Berry was very well supported with some fascinating family pictures. As usual we had lovely cakes at refreshment time.

April WI Fair Alexandra Palace London

The annual event celebrating everything about the WI; creativity, craft, cookery, travel, outdoors, lifestyle, gardening and much more.

Beverly, Maxilyn and Lynda attended the WI Fair and they made these rag wreaths at a workshop.

Our March Meeting

Last year some of us went on a hat-making course and we enjoyed it so much that we invited Louise Brooks from 'Hats from the Hall' to talk to us about 'A Day in the life of a Modern Milliner'. She brought loads of her gorgeous hats with her and gave us lots of good advice about what hat to choose for that special occasion. As you can see we had the opportunity to try them all on!!

March 'Crafting and Chatting'

It was the first 'Crafting and Chatting' meeting at Cedar Mews Care Home. There was a lot more chatting than crafting as we got to know the residents but foundations were laid for next month! It was lovely to see Margaret Hoskins out and about again and looking (and sounding) great!

January At Warners

Photos from our Warners Break at Bodelwyddan Castle and gardens. It included a visit to the original WI established in 1915 Brilliant company, food and a free bar from 6pm til late! It was a great way to spend 5 days in January.

Birstall and Wanlip WI Events 2016

Christmas Dinner at the White Horse

In July our ladies attend Gorse Hill City Farm with a fundraising donation

Sarah Farm Manager
"We would like to say a huge thank you to Birstall and Wanlip WI who have again supported the farm with their fundraising. Thank you so much we can't say enough how much we appreciate it."

In June a perfect day out at Hats from the Hall

Photos of our excellent hat making day. Pastries at 10am, a lovely lunch at 1pm, a cream tea at 3.30 and a hat! A perfect day out at Hats from the Hall.

In June

What a beautiful June evening! We all met in the White Horse garden for drinks in the sun-filled garden and then indoors for an excellent meal. The waitresses were surprised to hear 32 ladies sing Jerusalem in their restaurant but recovered enough to look after us very well. The evening was that warm that we retired to the garden for after-dinner drinks as well

Skittles final

We won! We beat Anstey WI in the skittles final. Our correspondent sent this report on the evening.
There was a happy atmosphere. everyone friendly laughing and wishing the others luck. Birstall took the first and second game, and became the winners of the cup, we stopped for the meal, and true to form Birstall went down hill, and the Anstey team fuelled up took the last game. The top scorer of the evening was Marion from Anstey. Anstey congratulated theBirstall team and gave the members some tips on cleaning the winners cup, pointing out that they were pleased that they would not have to clean it during the next 12 months. Every result has its up and down side!! It was suggested that we meet up for a friendly skittles match in 2016, but the final was very friendly.

Birstall and Wanlip WI Events 2015

Morsebags

Our meeting in March was spent making Morsebags. 6 were completed on the night and 13 were cut out and pressed ready for machining. We already had 33 made so these will be given out at our coffee morning in June. As there was only 3 machines available members also made knitted squares during the evening.  These will be used by Lisa of the Knitting Guerillas of Birstall (KGB) to make a wall picture for Rutland Hospital in Oakham.

Jane teaches Harpreet how to knit

The finished bags with some of their creators

Machinists at Work!

Dashing away with the smoothing iron

BIRSTALL & WANLIP WI FOLLOW THE TORCH...

Members combined walking for the Big Walk Little Splash incentive with following the Olympic torch relay around Leicester.


Members Maxilyn, Bev, Santok and Yvonne started us off by walking to Abbey Park for the evening celebrations of July.  Maxilyn and Bev even had enough energy to walk to the Space Centre next morning at 6am to view the next leg of it's journey! We then congregated at Station Road bridge in Birstall to see the torch change over and watched it disappear off to Quorn on a steam train from Leicester North Station. We even got a good look at Gary Lineker as he waited in the stationery tour bus.

Radio 4 appeal of the week in early June was read by member Santok Odedra.  This was for the charity she works for called Refugee Action.

SCHOOLDAYS OVER? DON'T THINK SO...
Birstall and Wanlip WI's Schooldays themed meal took place on a very cold and wet evening of 11 June at the home of President Beverly Blackburn.  Many members didn't even manage to remove their coats to reveal their schooldays outfits as it was so cold.


Luckily, hot school dinners  and fruit crumbles helped warm us up and, like the jubilee celebrations, our 'spirits were not dampened'.   We were entertained by members' old school photographs and the competition 'something I used to wear', which was won by Irene Faulkner who provided a very saucy pink number.

MERCY SHIPS...
At the May meeting, our speaker Alison Briggs told us about The Mercy Ships. Most of us had no idea what amazing work the ship's volunteers do around Africa. Originally started with a converted cruise ship, the floating hospital provides essential operations,training and education to people who previously had no hope of living a normal life. It was very humbling to realise just how lucky we are in this country.  If you are interested in reading more about their work, please visit www. mercyships.org.uk. It really is the most wonderful charity.

B AND W DO THE PROMS..
We had a terrific evening in March when Ken Goddard gave us a talk entitled An Introduction to Classical Music. Using film, slides and CDs, he gave us a really educational and uplifting evening.  We even ended the talk with a rousing Last Night of the Proms rendition of Jerusalem - complete with flags!